Now Playing

Lennon Believed Title Was Realistic

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has claimed a title triumph in his second season in charge was always the more realistic target when he took the job.

Lennon returned to Parkhead just over two years ago with Rangers having all but secured their second successive Clydesdale Bank Premier League crown.Despite immediately turning around the team's fortunes with eight SPL wins on the trot, he embarked on a major rebuilding project in his first summer in the job with a number of inexperienced players coming in.The title looked to be in their hands last May but a 3-2 defeat at Inverness allowed Rangers to complete their hat-trick.And Lennon was determined to turn the tables this year, with a 6-0 triumph at Kilmarnock on Saturday completing his goal.``We have built a young, vibrant squad from the remnants of 2010,'' he told Celtic TV's Huddle Online programme.``We went very close last year, which was a nice surprise really because we were so far behind the year before.``There was a real motivation this year to go one better and they have done it in spectacular fashion.''Lennon cut an emotional figure after the Rugby Park triumph, with around 13,000 Celtic fans sharing his joy and relief.And chief executive Peter Lawwell believes such a connection between manager and supporters can help take the team to a higher level in the coming years.``He is a young man. He loves this football club. He loves the supporters and that is something that is very, very important to Neil,'' Lawwell said.``It's very important that we have a manager who does love the supporters and the club.``He is a guy that I'm sure will be successful here and hopefully for a very long time.''